The Panhard CRAB (Combat
Reconnaissance Armored Buggy) was developed as a private venture.
This armored vehicle is intended to meet a French Army
requirement. A new armored vehicle will replace the
Panhard VBL
armored scout cars. Panhard is competing against other manufacturers
to meet this requirement. Deliveries of new armored
scout cars to the French Army are expected to begin in 2018. The CRAB is also being proposed for export customers.
It is worth mentioning that a number of countries operate thousands
of ageing scout cars, produced the 1960s. So the CRAB seems as a
good replacement.

A mock-up of
the CRAB was revealed in 2010 alongside the heavier 6x6
Panhard SPHINX armored reconnaissance
vehicle. This new highly-mobile scout car is based on renewed light
cavalry doctrine, where small, but fast and well armed armored
vehicles taking an active combat role. The CRAB is intended for
scouting and raiding missions.

Baseline
version of the CRAB provides all-round protection for the crew
against 7.62-mm ball rounds and artillery shell splinters. Maximum
level of protection is against 14.5-mm armor-piercing rounds.
Addition of slat armor gives some degree of protection against
rocket propelled grenades. This vehicle withstands 6 to 8 kg
anti-tank mine blasts under the wheels. The CRAB is fitted with
NBC protection system.

Various
weapon options are proposed. This armored
scout car can be fitted with remotely controlled weapon station,
armed with small- or medium-caliber gun. Lighter versions, armed
with shielded 7.62-mm, 12.7-mm machine guns or 40-mm automatic
grenade launcher are also available. This light armored vehicle can
be also used as a weapon carrier. It can be fitted with anti-tank or
short-range air defense missiles. The CRAB was revealed with a 25-mm
automatic cannon and coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun.

The Panhard
CRAB has a crew of three. However all the main functions of this
scout car can be implemented by the crew of two. Vehicle is equipped with
a battlefield management system. It can be fitted with a
mast-mounted battlefield surveillance radar or long-range
observation system, however theses features are proposed as an
option.

The CRAB is
powered by an Austrian Steyr M16 turbocharged diesel engine,
developing 320 hp. Engine is located at the rear. It is coupled to an automatic transmission.
Vehicle has a hydropneumatic suspension with adjustable ground
clearance. This light armored
vehicle is equipped with a central tyre inflation system and
run-flat tyres. All of these features allow the CRAB to move on
various terrain at high speed. Two of these scout cars can
be airlifted by the
C-130J Super Hercules and three by
A400M military cargo aircraft.